In recent months I’ve been privileged to witness the birth of a new initiative in the form of the Queensland Community Alliance.
Imagine:
– a city where strong churches, unions, charities, ethnic associations and other community organisations work together to implement our common values
– a community where we listen to each other’s stories, and these stories inspire us to work together to overcome the pressures we face through developing new leaders
– an alliance based upon an ethos of active citizenship, confident of our practical problem-solving abilities and non-partisan collective power.
Modelled on similar community organising groups in Sydney, London and Los Angeles (among many other places), the Queensland Community Alliance brings faith groups, trade unions and other community organisations together in order to focus on the common good. It is south-east Queensland focussed initially, with intent to grow more widely over time.
While not party political, the alliance seeks to engage with all levels of government with the aim of a better, stronger, fairer society.
It is primarily oriented around building capacity, resilience and relationship, with the ultimate purpose of making our communities stronger. The organisations involved may share different world views, but ultimately find a lot in common in their dedication towards justice, compassion, empowerment and so on.
There is an open invitation for community groups and churches to meet the alliance and find out more. The Uniting Church is involved through (initially) the Presbyteries of South Moreton, Bremer Brisbane and Moreton Rivers.
Check out the Queensland Community Alliance website, their facebook page, or the intro video below from the first public meeting.